Light of Lam

Pham Nguyen Thanh Lam (front row, first from right) and her grandmother live in a room in the dormitory of the University of Education, University of Da Nang. The room is rent-free by the school. Photo: TD

Light from love

Born with normal eyes, around 2019, an unexpected event happened that completely changed Pham Nguyen Thanh Lam's life. While in 8th grade, Lam suddenly fell ill. In just 10 short days, her right eye completely lost its vision, while her left eye only had 2/10. By the middle of 9th grade, her eyes were completely blind. The doctor diagnosed Lam with glaucoma, a common disease in the elderly, and her case is extremely rare at this age.

The sudden pain left Lam and her family in shock. From a lively girl, Lam gradually became self-conscious and withdrawn from the world around her. She had to face the darkness and learn to adapt to life as a blind person. But in that arduous journey, Lam was not alone. Her family, teachers, and friends became a solid support to help her overcome adversity step by step.

During the most difficult days, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Tuong (born in 1977, Lam's mother) was not only a mother, but also a friend and a spiritual support for her daughter. During the summer of 9th grade, every weekend, Ms. Tuong drove Lam from Quang Nam to Da Nang to learn Braille. For two whole years, she patiently accompanied her daughter, overcoming the long and tiring journey. On those back and forth trips, she always whispered to encourage her daughter: "Losing the light does not mean losing everything". Those simple but loving words gave Lam the strength not to collapse.

The day Lam passed the entrance exam to the Pedagogical University (University of Da Nang), the family was overwhelmed with happiness. But that joy also brought with it a lingering worry: "How can she take care of herself in a strange city when she cannot see?". Not wanting to leave her granddaughter to face difficulties alone, Mrs. Huynh Thi Bich Hong (born in 1937, Lam's maternal grandmother, from Tien Canh commune, Tien Phuoc district), who had never left her homeland, decided to pack up and move to Da Nang with Lam. Every day, she took Lam from the boarding house to the lecture hall, and then from the lecture hall back. The grandmother with gray hair and a thin figure became the eyes and spiritual support for her granddaughter.

The image of the grandmother and grandchild quietly holding hands to go to school has touched the hearts of many people. Sympathizing with Lam's situation, the University of Education has made a special exception for the grandmother and grandchild to stay free of charge in the dormitory. The spacious, fully-furnished room is not only a place to live but also a testament to the community's care and sharing for the grandmother and grandchild. Associate Professor, Dr. Vo Van Minh, the school's principal, shared: "Lam's story is a strong source of inspiration about the will and determination to rise up in life. We hope that through this story, young people will realize that it is not the circumstances that determine success, but the effort and spirit of overcoming difficulties that will open the door to the future."

Light from the will to rise up

In her challenging journey, Lam never let the darkness defeat her. She understood that only studying could help her become independent and open up a better future. Therefore, the blind student still persistently pursued her dream. Ms. Tuong still remembers clearly what her daughter said during the most difficult days: "Mom, don't be sad, even though I'm blind, I still live with my parents." It was Lam's optimism and strength that became the motivation for the whole family to firmly move forward.

Lam chose to study Psychology because she wanted to help people in similar situations in the future. She said her own experiences helped her understand the mental trauma that blind people are facing and she wanted to share that with them. When she first entered the university, Lam was worried, but thanks to the care from her friends and teachers, she became more confident. Nguyen Thi Khanh Linh, a classmate and dormitory member of Lam's team, shared: "Lam is very hard-working and intelligent. Every time we do group projects, she always contributes many good ideas. Lam is an example for us to cherish what we have and strive harder for the future."

Although there are still many challenges ahead, Lam has never stopped trying. Lam confided: "I feel lucky because even though my eyes have lost the light, I still have a healthy body. I can still go to school and most importantly, I always receive love from my family, teachers, friends and even strangers. Those are the things that help me never give up."

The light has forever closed in Lam's eyes, but there is another light that has never been extinguished. That is the light of extraordinary determination, of faith in the future. And more than that, it is the light of love - the warm light that has illuminated the path she takes, helping Lam to steadily move forward to a brighter tomorrow.

THU DUYEN

Source: https://baodanang.vn/channel/5433/202504/anh-sang-cua-lam-4003535/